Nuremberg Christmas Market

The enticing aroma of gingerbread, mulled wine and grilled sausage hangs in the air at the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. First mentioned in 1628, its roots probably go back to the time of Luther, when the tradition of giving children presents at Christmas evolved. Ever since then traditional wares such as handmade Christmas decorations and culinary treats have been offered by the 180 wooden stalls, decorated with red and white canvas. Take a stroll through the festively lighted lanes between the stalls and discover the enchantment of the unique atmosphere.

"You men and women who once were children, be young again", proclaims the "Christkind" when she welcomes guests to the Nuremberg Market Square for the opening of the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. And she is right, because with a bit of childish enthusiasm over the Christmas tree decorations, gold foil angels, wooden nutcrackers, cribs and colored stars, you enjoy walking through the romantically lit Christmas Market twice as much.

The enticing aroma of gingerbread, mulled wine and grilled sausage hangs in the air at the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. First mentioned in 1628, its roots probably go back to the time of Luther, when the tradition of giving children presents at Christmas evolved. Ever since then traditional wares such as handmade Christmas decorations and culinary treats have been offered by the 180 wooden stalls, decorated with red and white canvas. Take a stroll through the festively lighted lanes between the stalls and discover the enchantment of the unique atmosphere.

Christmas City and the Sternenhaus for children

A Christmas city for children has been constructed at the Hans-Sachs-Platz. Visitors can bake cookies during the Children's Christmas or paint glasses, write a Christmas wish list to the 'Christkind' or ride on the roundabouts and the big wheel at the nostalgic fairground. TheSternenhaus in the Heilig-Geist-Saal offers a colourful programme of culture and storytelling all-around the Christmas Market.

The Market of the twin towns at the Christmas Market

Nuremberg is twinned with 14 cities, and has links of friendship with eight other municipalities. At the Rathausplatz to the north of the Market Square they bring an international flair to Nuremberg every year during the Christmas Market. The proceeds from sales of often home-made Christmas decorations go to charity organizations in the twin towns.

Key facts:

one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany since 1969, a new Nuremberg Christkind is chosen every two years

the Christkindlesmarkt contains ca. 180 wooden booths which are tradtionally decorated with red-and-white-striped cloth roofs. This is why it is sometimes called "The Little Town of Wood and Cloth"

annual opening with a famous ceremony: The Christkind recites a prologue from the balcony of the Church of Our Lady to open the market

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The forested area north of Nuremberg – from the Franconian Forest to the Thuringian Forest to the Erz Mountains – has been famous for its artistic wood carvings for centuries. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt has therefore been a showplace for crèches, nativity set figures, wooden Christmas decorations, Christmas pyramids, “Schwibbögen” candle stands and wooden toys for...

The world-famous Nuremberg Christmas Market is closely tied to the figure of the Nuremberg Christkind. In the 16th century, in protestant areas, the Christkind took over an important task from St. Nicholas: Bringing children their gifts at Christmastime. It was only natural to host a market where dolls, toys and Christmas treats were for sale.